The present invention relates to a probe and a system for optoacoustic imaging of an object as well as a method for controlling such a probe. An irradiation unit of the probe is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and to irradiate the object with the electromagnetic radiation, and a detection unit of the probe is configured to detect primary acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation. The probe further comprises a couplant compartment enclosing an acoustic coupling medium between the detection unit and the irradiation unit, on the one hand, and the object, on the other hand, the couplant compartment comprising a shielding element arranged between the object and the detection unit and being configured to at least partially transmit acoustic waves and to at least partially reflect and/or absorb electromagnetic radiation, the shielding element separating the couplant compartment into a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment such that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the irradiation unit can pass the first sub-compartment to impinge on the object but is at least partially hindered by the shielding element to enter the second sub-compartment, and primary acoustic waves emitted by the object can pass the shielding element and the second sub-compartment to impinge on the detection unit.
